Most golfers don't fail because they aren't trying… they fail because they're showing up to lessons with the wrong expectations, the wrong habits, and no plan between sessions.

In this episode of #OnTheMark podcast, Mark Immelman is joined by Chris Smith, a Master PGA Professional and Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructor, to break down 5 common mistakes that ruin golf lessons—and what to do instead so your next lesson actually turns into lower scores.

You'll Learn:

• How to get more value from every lesson
• What to stop doing immediately (and why it's holding you back)
• How to practice between lessons so improvements stick
• How to communicate with your coach so you leave with clarity, and The simple mindset shift that makes training "transfer" to the course.

The 5 Things (and the Fix):

1. No clear goal for the lesson → Fix: define a "win" before you arrive (shot pattern, contact, start line, scoring goal)
2. Trying to rebuild everything at once → Fix: one priority, one feel, one drill—stack progress over time
3. Collecting swing thoughts instead of building skill → Fix: convert tips into a repeatable drill + a checkpoint you can self-diagnose
4. No plan between lessons → Fix: a simple practice structure (block → random → on-course challenge)
5. Expecting range success to instantly become course success → Fix: train pressure, variability, and decision-making—not just mechanics.

If you've ever left a lesson feeling hopeful… then lost it by the weekend—this one is for you. Like, Subscribe, and comment below: What's the #1 thing you want your next lesson to fix?

In this episode of On the Mark, host Mark Immelman sits down with PGA TOUR winner Chris Gotterup to go inside the ropes—covering the real nuts and bolts behind elite performance: power, feel vs. technical thoughts, practice drills, putting improvement, and handling pressure when it matters most.

Chris shares what was happening in his mind and body during his playoff win at TPC Scottsdale, how he trains for speed without getting "too technical" in tournament weeks, and why communication with his caddie is one of the biggest keys to performing under the gun.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

• What playoff pressure actually feels like—and how Chris handles it in real time
• How Chris thinks about power (and the setup tweaks he uses when he wants more distance)
• Why he avoids technical thoughts during tournament weeks (and saves them for offseason work)
• The "guardrails" approach: shaping shots without over-complicating your swing
• Training aids he uses (band, wrist device, HackMotion) and why they help
• Course management for different venues—Augusta vs. Harbour Town (and why mini driver matters)
• Putting improvement: start-line work, 3-putt avoidance, and speed training with Tim Yelverton
• Mental game under chaos (Waste Management), plus a playoff mindset: play to win
• Chris's favorite win breakdown—and what each victory taught him

Key Themes:

1. Pressure Is Normal—It Means You Care Chris is clear: nerves show up at the highest level, and that's part of competing.
2. Feel First (Tournament Week), Technique Later (Offseason) He'll work on mechanics away from competition, but once the tournament starts, he commits to what he brought that week.
3. "Guardrails" Beat Constant Overhauls He stays inside a preferred shot pattern—then adjusts toward neutral when needed, rather than rebuilding mid-week.
4. Communication Is a Performance Tool When things get loud or fast, Chris slows down by communicating clearly with his caddie about target, shape, and intent.

Episode Takeaways

➡ Power is useful—but it's only valuable if the next shot backs it up.

➡ Feel-driven golf gets more reliable when you keep your swing inside simple "guardrails."

➡ Putting improves when you start with start-line, then build speed control and accountability.

➡ Under pressure, slow down by communicating clearly—target, shape, and intent.

If you want more episodes like this—where Mark goes deep on how the best players actually practice, think, and compete—subscribe to On the Mark and share this episode with a golfer who wants to improve their game. Also, search and subscribe to Mark Immelman on YouTube.

Nick Biondi is a PGA Member and the Director of Golf Instruction at Radley Run Country Club in West Chester, PA. One of the most respected golf instructors in the country, Nick has over 20 years of elite teaching experience. His quality instruction has helped him build a reputation for transforming golfers through a science-backed and data-driven approach.

Nick joins #OntheMark to illustrate some game improvement insights from his new book, "Making the Turn.":

This podcast features golf tips and nuggets that will help you improve your Scoring Shots:

• Deciding who you want to be in golf
• Putting and Checkpoints for a consistent, repeatable and productive Putting Stroke
• Being Reactive vs. Over-thinking
• Chipping and Pitching insights incl. Data for success
• 3 Different Styles for Pitching, and
• Setup and Posture keys for consistent Strikes and Spin Control.

This podcast is also available on YouTube - search and subscribe to Mark Immelman.